Gathering in Worship Offered by the People of the Church of Christ, Union

Easter Sunday

April 16, 2017                 10:30 am

Meditation
What thy felt then: isn’t it
sweeter than every secret,
than all that’s only earth:
when he, still pale from the grave
came assuaged to her:
in all ways resurrected.
O to her first. And they were then
being saved, ineffably.
Yes, being saved, that’s it. They had no need
to touch each other firmly.
He laid for a second—
if that—his soon to be
eternal hand on her woman’s shoulder.
And they began,
at peace, like trees in Spring,
the boundless and the bounded,
the season of this
their utmost association.
 —Rainer Maria Rilke (Trans: David Curzon and Will Alexander Washburn)

From there to Here

¨  Prelude     
The Good News!           Matthew 28:1-10
Call to Worship (seated)
One:      God of life, in gratitude and great joy we laud you for the gifts of Christ’s Resurrection.
All: Weeping may linger for a night, but joy comes in the morning.
One: God turns our weeping into dancing and clothes us in gladness. No more do we walk in shadow. Death is swallowed up forever.
All: What was dead shall live; what was dark shall shine; what was forgotten shall be remembered, for the Lord is risen and walks among us.
One: Alleluia!
All: Christ is Risen!
One: He is risen indeed!
Easter Processional
Please remain seated as this introduction to the hymn is played. The elements of celebration will be brought forward and the sanctuary transformed as our choirs process. When invited, please rise and join as we sing together:
¨   Hymn #233 Christ the Lord Is Risen Today Easter Hymn
Accompanied by Spirited Handbell Ensemble & Susan Waterbury, piano
¨  Welcome and Passing the Peace of Christ
All who come to this sanctuary are welcome companions on this day! You are invited to turn to those nearest you and greet them with words of peace and joy. 

The Living Word Among Us

Anthem Crown Him Lord of All!             J. Rouse            Union Church Choir
Crown Him with many crowns, the Lamb upon His throne. Hark! How the heav’nly anthem drowns all music but its own.  Awake, my soul, and sing of Him who died for thee, and hail Him as thy matchless King through all eternity.  
Crown Him the Lord of love; behold His hands and side, rich wounds, yet visible above, in beauty glorified.  All hail, Redeemer, hail! For Thou hast died for me; Thy praise and glory shall not fail throughout eternity. Crown Him! Crown Him Lord of all!
Crown Him the Lord of life, who triumphed o’er the grave, and rose victorious in the strife for those He came to save; His glories now we sing who died and rose on high, who died eternal life to bring, and lives that death may die. Crown Him Lord of all!
Hebrew Scripture Lesson Colossians 3:1-4
Children’s Moment  as the children return to their seats we sing:
May God’s presence guard, protect and guide you. God bless you, God bless you. Our savior’s loving arms be ever ’round you. God bless you, God bless you.
For children preschool & under, care is available in the Nursery, downstairs off the Community Room.  There is no Children’s Church today; young ones are invited to rejoin their families.
Easter Acclamation The First Song of Isaiah Jack Noble White
Therefore you shall draw water with rejoicing
from the springs of salvation.
And on that day you shall say,
give thanks to the Lord and call upon his name.
Make his deeds known among the peoples;
see that they remember that his name is exalted.
Sing the praises of the Lord, for he has done great things,
and this is known in all the world.
Cry aloud, inhabitants of Zion; ring out your joy,
for the great one in the midst of you is the Holy One of Israel.
Sermon The Boundless and the Bounded Rev. Kent Gilbert

GIfts Given for Love to Flow

Our gifts help sustain this particular community of caring by sustaining the building, pastors and staff, and all the materials that make our ministry of healing, justice, and teaching available to all in need. In addition, a good portion of our contributions flows out to aid to those in need via many external agencies.
This can now be done online or by text to 859-448-3403 (Example: Text “$50.00 Offering” to contribute to the ongoing ministries, or add “youth,” or “missions” or designation of your choice to benefit one in particular.
Your contribution is love made visible. Thank you!
Offertory                   Christ Is Alive!
¨  Doxology                                      Lasst Uns Erfreuen
Praise God from whom all blessings flow!  Praise God all creatures here below! Alleluia, alleluia! Praise God above, ye heavenly host! Creator, Christ and Holy Ghost.  Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!

Praying it Forward

Ringing of the Peace Bell
The Union Church Peace Bell was created by Jeff Enge in honor of Union Church member Carl Eschbach (1904-1998).  A twin bell hangs in Berea’s sister province in Japan and is also rung in the hope of peace for all nations.
Silent Prayers and Prayers for the Community
One:      Creator of mists and mystery: you roll away the stones to open us to your life, to let your story shine out to all the world. Give us hope, Living God—hope in our hands to open doors; hope in our eyes to see possibilities; hope in our heart of hearts to live by faith; for in hope, you roll away stones.
One: Gracious God, you are the source of all our hope.
All: In the times when we confront despair that deadens, you come alive!
One: In the times we refuse to bend to injustice, you come alive!
All: In the times we choose to bear pain to keep our conscience clear, you come alive!
One: In the times we glimpse the willingness of a faithful community to work joyfully in your name, you come alive! In this place we name in our hearts the gifts of grace we have received, and those places where your resurrection power is most needed.
[silence is kept]
One: We have felt the sustaining power of your presence, Living God; the peace and grace you give.
All: Holy One, we give our thanks and praise!
Our Lord’s Prayer                                  adapted for the New Zealand Prayer Bookby Jim Cotter (1988)
Eternal Spirit, Earth-maker, Pain-bearer, Life-giver, Source of all that is and that shall be; Father and Mother of us all, Loving God, in whom is heaven: The hallowing of your name echo through the universe! The way of your justice be followed by peoples of the world! Your heavenly will be done by all created beings! Your commonwealth of peace and freedom sustain our hope and come on earth. With the bread we need for today, feed us. In the hurts we absorb from one another, forgive us. In times of temptation and test, strengthen us. From trials too great to endure, spare us. From the grip of all that is evil, free us. For you reign in the glory of the power that is love, now and forever.  Amen.

From Here to There

¨  Closing Hymn #253 Black   Yours Is the Glory Judas Maccabeus
If you would like to join the choir in singing the Hallelujah Chorus, please make your way to the choir loft, if able, during  the hymn.
¨  Benediction   Hallelujah Chorus from Messiah G.F. Handel
Hallelujah!  For the Lord God omnipotent reigneth!  The kingdom of this world is become the kingdom of the Lord and of his Christ, and he shall reign forever and ever:  King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Hallelujah!
Postlude         Symphony No. 5, Toccata           C.M. Widor
Especially in our prayers
Each week we join millions of Christians who pray for one another through the ecumenical prayer cycle and, locally, the Berea Ministerial Association’s prayer cycle.  Let us hold the people of Belarus, Moldova, Russia and Ukraine and our brothers and sisters at every congregation in Berea, and beyond, in your hearts, and pray for them. Please also hold these concerns in your prayers, today and throughout the week. 
¨ Our church family members in nursing homes, or who are homebound:  Ruth Butwell, Edith Hansen, Mary Miller, Alva Peloquin, Gloria VanWinkle.
¨ For Susie Ritchie and Patty Tarter in the recent death of their aunt, Geri Haga.
¨ Mary Miller, who is recovering from a major illness at The Terrace.
¨ Keila Thomas, recovering well after surgery.
¨ Les Small Stokes’ uncle Jeff Buechlein. 
¨ Loretta Mountjoy, at Richmond Place, in Lexington.
¨ Dodie Murphy, at home.
¨ For those suffering from mental illnesses and for their families who love and care for them.
¨ For Refugees around the world: may they find a home in safety and may God’s people help.
Welcome! We’re delighted you’re here, we hope you feel very welcome! No matter who you are or where you are on life’s journey, this place is open to you! We celebrate with joy the resurrection of Love Embodied, and we pray that joy and blessing will fill you today.
     If you are new to the church and would like to know more, there are lots of ways to do so. Our website, www.union-church.org has a lot of basic information. If you put your name and contact information in our pew folder, we will contact you next week. We also have a newcomers meet and greet with Pastor Rachel and other members after the 10:30am service next Sunday (approximately noon – 1pm). Or, just drop in at one of the many events you see listed in our calendar, and we’ll make sure you get introduced to lots of folks.
New members will be received each Second Sunday of the month at the close of worship. 
Announcements
You Matter! Please Sign the Register, Check in on Facebook/Twitter and try a nametag! It’s hard to get to know people elsewhere, but we don’t want it that way at church.  Let’s all try to get to know each other better.
Psalm Study Thursday, April 18.  The Psalm Study Group will meet the 1st and 3rd Thursdays of a month at 4:00 pm in the Classroom on the office level. You are welcome to join them! Next session will focus on Psalms 50 and 96.
Stephen Leaders to be Commissioned Next Sunday.  On April 23, Rev. Kent, Jeff From, Betty Hibler and Mary Lou Wiese will be leaving for the Stephen Series Leader’s Training Course in St. Louis for seven days. Soon after returning, they will begin a class for Union Church members and friends, training them to be Stephen Ministers. These Stephen Ministers will be a part of the caring ministry here, providing one-to-one care for those who are in need. Join us as we commission this new ministry, and pray for safe travel and a safe return for all who are attending the Stephen Series Leader’s Training Course.
SaraCare Celebration Friday, April 21, 6-10 pm. SaraCare is a memorial fund in honor of Sara Elizabeth Kennedy who, with tremendous hope, grace-fully fought Rhabdomyosarcoma (an aggressive childhood cancer) from June 16, 2004 until March 23, 2005 when the battle was lost.  This fund was established in order  to support the work of  her wonderful health care providers (Kentucky Children’s Hospital and The Pediatric Oncology Clinic).  The SaraCare Fund is also dedicated to providing assistance and comfort to young patients and their families.  Spaghetti supper in the Community Room ($5) with silent auction items available followed by a concert in the sanctuary (donations accepted).
Help Wanted.  We have an ongoing need for volunteers to help with Sunday services.  Can you be a worship reader, greeter, coffee angel, etc.?   For details go to the church website, union-church.org and click on “Volunteer” near the upper right corner (or talk to Doug Hindman).
Concert Choir’s Annual Spring Concert on  Sunday, April 23, 3:00 pm. The Berea College Concert Choir and Chamber Singers, Stephen Bolster conductor, Lindsay Clavere, piano, will present their
annual spring concert in Gray Auditorium. The public is invited to attend, and there is no charge for admission.
We Need YOUR PICTURE for a New Church Directory! If you’ve got a photo you’d like to use, please send it to the office. Also — if there’s a chance we don’t have your address, phone, email address, anniversary, or birthday(s)—please send that info on as well: office@union-church.org. There will soon be a draft available in the office for you to check and correct if needed. If we left you out — we don’t mean to!! Please add your info! Also, if you happen to know that someone has moved or attends church elsewhere, let us know that too.